FROM THE PUERTO RICO CHAPTER PRESIDENT’S DESK

What do you think when HFMA comes to your mind? Do you think in your work and the educational tools you will need and HFMA may provide you, or do you think in networking and social activities? Are you aware of all the benefits the affiliation to HFMA brings you?

I first joined HFMA when I was working for PKF, LLP. As an auditor of hospitals and clients in the healthcare industry, I began my relationship with HFMA, first as a member, then as part of the Board. How I joined the Board? It was an invitation from CPA Laura Solá Carrillo. I was offered the Treasurer's position for the year CPA Wanda Marrero was going to be the Chapter's President, and I accepted the offer and the challenge also. Subsequently I was Vice President, Treasurer again, then President Elect and now President. And you know what? I have traveled to West Point, NY, San Diego, California, San Antonio, Texas, Verona, NY (twice), Buffalo, NY, Fort Lauderdale in Florida, Seattle, Washington and soon to Nashville, Tennessee. Not only I have had the opportunity of traveling to exciting and beautiful cities within the US, but also I have had the privilege of attending important and great educational events where I have met wonderful people and made a lot of contacts. All this traveling has also taken some of my personal time, but it has worth the effort, definitely.

I can tell you that the affiliation to HFMA has given me a lot of satisfactions, fun, work, leadership development, networking, and even personal growth. All of us are leaders, and when you develop your leadership, that development extends to both your personal and your professional life. And you begin to realize that nothing is impossible. You just need to think about an idea, develop a plan to achieve it, gather some partners, distribute tasks, follow up on them, achieve and enjoy. This can be applied to every aspect of your life, be it a family vacation, a birthday party, a wedding, a product offering, a fashion event, or the Puerto Rico Chapter's Christmas Party, Second Golf Tournament or 2010 Annual Assembly and Convention.

I encourage you to become an active member of HFMA. This 2009-10 DCMS year, the Puerto Rico Chapter successfully has held four educational events with important attendance, namely: the ICD-10 seminar as part of our 2009 Annual Assembly, Principles and Practices Board Statement No. 15, seminar in conjunction with the Puerto Rico College of Certified Public Accountants, our main event, the Medicare Update 2009, and the seminar Risk Management at Healthcare Facility. Thank all you for your confidence and patronage to all our educational events. Thanks to this support, at this moment our chapter has exceeded the minimum amount required for continuing education hours for this DCMS year, what makes us worthy of a Silver award in the category of education. I encourage you to keep involved, share your ideas and concerns, and share also your enthusiasm.

Finally, I should like to thank all of you, members of the chapter, for the trust placed in me and for contributing to our significant growth in membership. Thank you also for the outstanding results of 65% Overall High Satisfaction rate obtained in the recent HFMA survey conducted by National. I am very proud of this chapter and the privilege of chairing it.

We at the Board of Directors look forward to see you in all HFMA Puerto Rico Chapter's events and activities, and to be part of its growth and success. Navigate our web page to stay abreast on past and upcoming events. I urge you to understand and maximize the benefits of your HFMA membership. The benefits are indefinite, and you will always win.

Kind Regards,

CPA Teresa R. Figueroa
President
HFMA Puerto Rico Chapter